Iran has paraded its military hardware on the anniversary of its 1980s war with Iraq, including “the longest-range drone in the world” along with ballistic and hypersonic missiles.
Iranian state media said on Friday the drone “was unveiled” in the parade, which was broadcast live, and that drones displayed in the event were named Mohajer, Shahed and Arash.
The Islamic Republic said last month it had built an advanced drone named Mohajer-10 with an enhanced flight range and duration as well as a larger payload.
It has an operational range of 2000km and can fly for up to 24 hours, state media reported then, adding that its payload could reach 300kg – double the capacity of the Mohajer-6 drone.
The United States has accused Iran of providing Mohajer-6 drones, among other unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), to Russia for its war against Ukraine.
On Tuesday, Washington expanded Iran-related sanctions, citing Tehran’s “continued, deliberate proliferation of UAVs” enabling Russia, its proxies in the Middle East and other destabilising actors”.
Iran denies providing drones to Russia for the conflict in Ukraine.
“Our forces ensure security in the region and the Persian Gulf,” President Ebrahim Raisi said at Friday’s parade in the capital Tehran.
“We can teach the people of the region that resistance is today’s way.
Read the article in the South Coast Register (AAP).